Chinchilla Digger Statue, War memorial statue in Chinchilla, Australia
The Chinchilla Digger Statue is a sandstone figure on Heeney Street showing an Australian soldier wearing a slouch hat with a rifle resting against a tree stump base. The sculpture stands in front of the Returned Services League Hall and captures the appearance of those who departed for wartime service.
The memorial was unveiled on January 30, 1919 by Governor Sir Hamilton John Goold-Adams to commemorate local soldiers who fought in World War I. Its placement so soon after the war ended shows how quickly the community worked to mark the sacrifice of those who departed.
The memorial embodies how Australian communities raised funds together to honor those who served in the military, making it a symbol of shared local identity and civic responsibility. Walking past it, visitors see a place where the town gathered its resources to create something permanent for remembrance.
The statue sits near the Returned Services League Hall where commemorative ceremonies take place during national memorial days, offering visitors a chance to observe local traditions. Timing your visit with these events provides insight into how the town honors its fallen.
The statue was moved multiple times starting in 1977, at one point separated from its original pedestal and stored away before returning to its current location. This journey through relocation reveals how hard it can be for small towns to maintain and preserve their monuments.
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